Machine for counting votes



7 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. SIMEK CHARLES SIMEK 7 BY Z W @1 TTORNEYS.

Filed July 28, 1928 MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES April 23, 1935.

a/TNESSES vd f @ZZZjQWcM.

' April 23, 1935. p c. SIMEK 1,993,527

MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Filed July 28, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

yrrmzssfis CHARLES SIMEK A TTORNEYS.

. P 23, 1 C. SIMEK MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Filed July 28, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 $2 .omN

-April 23, 1935. c. SIMEK MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Filed July 28, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 44 QQN A April 23, 1935. c. SlMEK 1,998,527

MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Filed July 28, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGZZ.

VV R. m win/5555s CHARLES SIMEK'.

' April 23, 1935. c. SIMEK 1,998,527

MACHINE FOR COUNTING'VOTES 9 Filed July 28, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet '6 Fuel) 1.

ROTA ION 0F POR I CHARLES SIMEK.

April 23, 1935. c. SIMEK MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Filed July 28, 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 ll A N-OILCJHIE] AHVl/Jltld 'IVLLNEJGISHBCI INVENTOR. CHARLES Swan.

BY r

ATTORNE s.

Patented Apr. 23, 193

PATENT OFFICE 7 1,998,527 MACHINE FOR COUNTING VOTES Charles Simek, Chicago, Ill. Application July 28; 1928, Serial No. 295.860

5 Claims.

The invention relates generally to a machine for automatically counting votes and more particularly it relates to a machine which is adapted simultaneously to count a plurality of votes 5 which have beencast or indicated upon a particular ballot.

Heretofore it has been customary in voting to indicate the selection of candidates by making marks upon the surface of the ballot and in order to determine the total number of votes cast for each candidate it has been necessary to examine each ballot and call off the names of the'candidates indicated so that the votes may be entered upon a tally sheet by the' clerks under the names of the candidates f were cast.

or whom the votes It is of course well known that this system lends itself to the commission of many fraudulent acts' and it is the general object of the present invention to provide a device by which the voters selection of candidates may be taken mechanically from the original ballot and these votes introducedmechanically into a counting mechanism which will indicate the number of votes cast for each individual candidate on the ballot.

Another obiect is to provide a machine having a plurality of separate counting mechanisms,

one for each candidate or proposition to be voted upon, together with new and improved means for transmitting an actuating power impulse to said counting mechanisms in accordance with physical indicia placed upon a ballot by a voter.

Another object is to provide such a machine having automatically operable means of an improved character for positioning ballots in the machine one at a time so that the votes indicated thereon may be counted by said machine.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism Another object is to provide such a device having a number of mechanisms at which actuating power impulses may be taken from the ballots and these actuating impulses from the plurality of stations introduced into a device having a single counter for each tion.

candidate or proposi- Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompa which:

nying drawings in Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view partially in section of a machine embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine which is shown in Fig. 1 and when taken together with Fig. 1 forms a com plete side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of that portion of the machine shown in Fig. l

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view'oi the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental portion of the upper right hand end of Fig. 1*.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an elevational View partially in sec- H ous positions of the card handling member I! relative to the compartments in which the cards or ballots are stored.-

Fig. 18 is an elevational view partially in section of the pistons and the control mechanisms of the counting device.

Fig. 19 is an end elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

Fig. 21 is an end elevational view partially in section of a remotely positioned registering device which is adapted to be associated with the counting mechanism C.

Fig. 22 is a plan section through the cylinder block M4 which is shown in Fig. 18.

Figs. 23 and 24 are side elevational views of the gears used in the counting device.

25 is a detail view of the pistons used in the control device which is associated with the counting mechanisms.

Figs. 26 and 27 are detail views of the clutch mechanism used in the counting mechanism.

Fig. 28 is'a diagrammatic View showing the arrangement of the device H8 and the cylinders 2H. i

Figs. 29 to 32 are detail views of the valve I04.

Figs. 33 to 35 are detail views showing the cam disks 24, 25, 26 respectively.

Fig. 36 is an end elevational view partially in section of the intermittent gearing used to drive the hollow shaft I4.

Fig. 37 is a view showing an alternative construction which may be used.

Figs. 38 and 39 are detail views of the voting block which is used to punch holes in the ballots I at the desired points.

Figs. 40 and 41 are detail views of the vote card or ballot I.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawlugs and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention together with one alternative embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that this disclosure is given for the purpose of illustrating the invention and is not intended as a. limitation of the invention to the construction disclosed. In the appended claims, I aim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the scope of the invention as limited by the state of the prior art.

General description It is believed that a general description of the principal parts of the device as embodied herein together with a general description of the relation of these parts to each other will lead to a better understanding of the operation of the device as a whole.

In the preferred form of the invention illustrated herein, I provide a plurality of ballot handling mechanisms or devices designated generally as A in Figs. 1, 71 2 and 2, these ballot handling mechanisms being arranged in series so as to be actuated and controlled by a single motor operated device designated generally by the letter B in Figs. 1 and 2. The ballot handling devices A are operated so that the ballots supplied to each of the handling devices A are presented one at a time to a position wherein actuating power impulses are released by the alterations of the ballot which have been made by the voter and from which position these impulses are communi-= cated to a single counting mechanism designated generally by the letter C.

The ballot or vote card The invention contemplates that with the particular vote counting machine illustrated herein, a. comparatively small ballot will be used, such for example as thatshown in detail in Figs. 40 and 41. These small ballots or vote cards are preferable for the reason that they may be made of relatively heavy material so as to be adapted for rapid handling by the machine.

The ballot or vote card which is generally designated by the numeral I in Fig. 40 is preferably made up of a layer 35I of cloth fixed between two layers 356, 352 of paper. The vote card I is in the present instance divided into a plurality of spaces 354 in each of which spaces a vote may be indicated by the elector.

Means for marking the ballots In the preferred form of the invention the preference or vote of the elector is marked upon the ballot by making a physical alteration in a certain portion of the space 354 which has been assigned to the particular candidate for whom the elector wishes to vote and to facilitate the proper marking of the vote card I, a voting block is provided which is shown in detail in Figs. 38

and 39. The voting block in its preferred form comprises a lower section 334 and an upper section 335, the lower section 334 having thereon a plurality of upwardly projecting pins 336 adapted to enter apertures 33'! in the upper section 335 so that apertures 338 formed in the upper section 335 will be properly alined with apertures 339 formed in the lower section of the block. The pins 336 may also serve to properly position the voting card between the upper and lower sections of the block andto this end apertures 353 are formed in the vote cards I to be engaged by the pins 336. In order that the vote card I may be invariably positioned properly, the pins 336 and the apertures 353 are unsymmetrically positioned on the block and on the card respectively.

In the present instance I have also provided a rounded corner 356 on the vote card I which may be matched with a rounded corner 346 formed on the .voting block. This serves as an additional check on the proper positioning of the vote card. I

To secure the two sections of the block to-' gether screws 340 are positioned on the lower block with suitable winged nuts 34I thereon to engage lugs formed on the upper section 335 of the block. A punch 342 is provided which may be secured to the block as by means of a chain 846. The punch 34! is made substantially the same size as the apertures 338 and 333 so that the punch may be inserted in the apertures to shear holes in the vote card I at the desired points to indicate the voter's selection of candidates.

After the indicia have been placed upon the voting cards by the electors the cards are gathered together to be placed in the counting machine which will be now described in detail.

The actuating and controlling mechanism B The actuating and controlling mechanism designated generally by the letter B in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a shaft 5 which is in the present in-v stance vertically mounted in a frame 22 and which is driven by a motor 303 having a. shaft 2 arranged to drive the shaft 5 through a worm 3 fixed on the shaft 2 and engaging a worm wheel 4 on the shaft 5. The shaft 5 is arranged through the medium of various independent connecting -means to actuate the various parts of the ballot handling and counting mechanisms in the proper sequence.

The ballot handling mechanism A In the preferred form of the invention the actuating power impulses are taken or released from the vote cards I and transmitted to the counting mechanism C by means of compressed air and means is provided in each of the handling mechanisms A to present the cards one at a time in proper position for the taking of such impulses. This means for presenting the cards preferably comprises a hollow head II which is formed integrally with a hollow shaft I4 which is rotatably and slidably mounted in bearings II formed in vertical frame members 12. The frame meme bers I2 are connected by longitudinal braces I3I, I32. The hollow head I! preferably comprises three radially extending portions equi-angularly spaced forming chambers I'I (Fig. 4) separated from each other by webs 286 extending radially inwand to the shaft I4. A register block I8 (Fig. 4) is mounted in the vertical frame member 12 and forms a definite register station at which the a plane perpendicular to the shaft I4.

The ends of each of the radial portions forms a flat card face I21 upon which a vote card I may 'be'positioned and means is provided for holding a vote card on the card face I21. This means preferably comprises a pair of passagtaways J02 (Figs. 4 and .8) within each of the chambers I1 and the card head I1 and having their Iopenends positioned flush with the card faces I21 so that when they are connected to a source of suction or vacuum, the vote'card will be drawn firmly against the card face I21.

When one of the card faces I21 is alined with the register block or station I8, the other two are positioned in alinement respectively with a supply tray 3% and a storage tray 31H. In order to insure proper positioning of the vote cards I in the supply tray a round corner 3555 is provided in the lower corner of the tray 386 to receive a correspondingly roundicorner 355 formed oneach of the vote cards I. Thus if a card is incorrectly positioned in the tray it will project upwardly from the other cards and will be readily noticed by the operator. -1 also provide a downwardly' sloping cam member 293 (Fig. 12) on the top of the tray 300 which engages the tops of the cards I as they are fed outwardly of the tray 300, and serves to press them downwardly into proper position.

The card head. I 1 is connected to the actuating I and controlling shaft 5 (Figs. 1 and 2) by means of a shaft 8 horizontally journalled in the frame 22 and continuously driven by the shaft 5 through bevel gears 6 and 1. The shaft 8 is geared to the'hollow shaft I4 by means ofgears 9 and II! (Figs. 36) which transmit intermittent or step bystep motion'to the hollow shaft I4. Thus in the present instance the hollow shaft I4 is turned through one third of a revolution for each revolution of the shaft 8 and each of the card faces I21 is moved progressively step by step from the supply tray 30!] to the block I8 and then to the storage tray 30L Means is provided for connecting the passageways I02 of a particular card face I21 to a source of suction during a portion of the revolution of the head I1 s that when the card face I21 positioned in alinement with the supply tray 300' a vote card I will be taken therefrom and carried on the card face I21 during the next onethirdrevolution of the head I1 into alinement with the register block or station I8. During the nextone third revolution of the head I1, the card isslmilarly held inplace on the card face I21 so that it is moved into alinement with the storage tray 3!". At this point, the passage-ways I02 of the particular card face I21 are cut off from the low pressure source.

In the form shown herein this suction source comprises a pump I36 (Fig. 1*) connected to the hollow shaft I I by means of a member I35 which slidably embraces the end of the shaft I4. Apertures'I03 are formed in the hollow shaft so that passage-ways IE2 may be connected to the lower pressure source as above described and to open and close the apertures I03 a valve member I04 (Figs. 1 29, 30, 31 and 32) is provided which is tubular in form and is slidably positioned within the hollow shaft I4. 7

The valve I04 which is shown in detail in Figs. 29 to 32 is fixed on a slidable non-rotatable rod 5| extending longtudinally within the hollow shaft I4. The rod 5| connected at one end to a slide block 34 mounted in the frame 22 of actuating device B and the slide and the rod 5| are caused to reciprocate by means of a follower 28 on the slide engaging a cam slot 565 formed in the upper surface of a cam disk 24 which is mounted on and rotates with the control shaft 5.

The valve IM has a valve opening 230 formed therein of theshape shown in Figs. that when one of the card faces I2? is about to take a vote'card from the supply tray 200, the port I23 for that card face IE? will be positioned as shown in dotted outline at A in Fig. 31. The valve IE4 is then moved by the cam 24 to the position shown in Fig. 32 so that the port I33 indicated at A will be opened and the vacuum will cause a vote card to be taken from, the tray 3%. It will be noted that the port indicated at C in Fig. 32 is closed at this time so that the vote card carried by the card face I21 associated therewith is released and is deposited in the storage tray 35!. When the head I1 is again rotated through one-third of a revolution, the valve I94 moved (upwardly in Figs. 31 and 32) from the position shown in Fig. 32 back to the position shown in 31 so that the port I83 which is advancing from position 3 will be kept continuously open until it registers with portion 232 of the valve opening 230. Thus the card I on the card face IE? will be retained in position until the valve is again reciprocated as above described.

In order to provide for the proper positioning of the vote cards I on the card faces I21, for the taking cards I from the supply tray B and for depositing the cards in th storage tray 39%, means is provided for imparting a definite reciprocatory movement to the card heads I1 at the end of each advancing rotary movement thereof. In the preferred form this means comprises a slide mounted on the frame and connected by a follower .29 to a cam slot formed in the lower surface of the cam disk 2%. The cam disc 24 is shown in detail in 33. The slide 35 connected to the hollow shaft by means of an upstanding bracket 3? surrounding the shaft in" termediate two spaced collars SI which may also serve as glands to permit relative sliding movement between the rod 5i and the shaft Id.

The cam slot 35% is so arranged that when the card head I1 is moved away from the block IS, a vote card I is withdrawn from the supply tray 395 by the particular face I21 which is alined therewith. To insure that only one card will be withdrawn, a plurality of lugs 25%, 295 are positioned on the tray 33! so as to project inwardly of the end opening thereof, so that when the first vote card I is held on the card face I2? by the suction in passage-ways I82. the edges of the card will be bent as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In the preferred form the lugs 225 are positioned at the top and bottom of the tray while the lugs 2G are at the sides thereof and the lugs are made o." less length so that the side edge of the card will be released first. During the movement of the succeeding card face IE'I toward the tray 393, pins I I4 mounted on the card face enter the holes 53 in the vote card I, thus properly positioning the card on the card face.

After a vote card I has been taken from the 31 and 32 so supply tray 308 it is moved to the block I8 and from there to the storage tray 3M and to insure that the card will be deposited in the tray 38L positive gripping means is provided which is preferably operated by the axial movement of the card head I1 to engage the edges of the vote card I. To permit the card face I21 to come into close contact wtih the block I8, apertures H5 are formed in the block to receive the pins II4.

This means is preferably of the character shown in detail in Figs. 14 to 16 and comprises a pair of hook members 212 pivotally secured on the opposite sides of the tray 38I so as to project inwardly of the end opening thereof. The hooks 212 are arranged to pivot simultaneously out of said end opening to permit the entrance of a vote card I into the tray 38I, this simultaneous pivoting being caused by levers 268 and 269 attached to the opposite hooks 212 and geared together beneath the tray. The hooks are normally maintained in position across the end of the tray by means of a spring 215 attached to one of the levers 268.

The means for pivoting the hooks 212 preferably comprises a plurality of arms I22 (Fig. 14) fixed on the head I1, one adjacent each card face I21, each arm I22 having a pivoted lug I25 thereon arranged so as to contact and move an arm 218 duringthe movement of the head toward the tray 38 I The arm 218 is fixed to one of the hooks 212 so that movement of the arm moves the hooks 212 out of the path of the vote card which is be-' ing carried toward the storage tray 38I by the card face I21. When the vote card I has been moved beyond the hooks 212, the lug I25 passes beyond the end of the arm 210, thus allowing the hooks 212 to swing inwardly so as to retain the card in the tray 38I. During the movement of the card face away from the tray, the lug I25 pivots against the force of a spring I24 and thus passes the arm 218 without disturbing the hooks 212.

To permit positioning of the hooks 212 behind the vote card I at the card face I21, a plurality of grooves I20 are formed in the card head I1 on the sides of the card faces I 21 into which the hooks 212 may project.

Means is preferably provided for maintaining the vote cards I in closely packed upright position in the trays 308 and 38I and in the preferred form shown in Figs. 16 and 17 this means comprises a carriage 211 mounted on top of each tray and movable longitudinally of the tray by a spring device 282 which rotates pinions 288 which are mounted on a transverse shaft 28I and which engage racks 284 along the top edges of the tray. Arms 218 extend downwardly from the carriage 211 to engage the face of the end card. A movable belt 288 mounted on rollers 281 and 289 may be provided to enable the cards to be more easily moved by the carriage 211.

It will be noted that the reciprocatory move ment of the card head I1, as herein disclosed, is of a positive nature, and to insure a firm clamping of the vote cards between the card face I21 and the block I8, means is preferably provided for applying a yielding force to the block I8 to urge it toward the card face I 21. To this end the block I8 is mounted in the frame 12 for sliding movement limited by lugs 69 and 18 said movement being parallel to the shaft I4 and a rod 64 is slidably mounted in the frames 12 for applying such a yielding force to the block I8 in each of the handling mechanisms A.

The sliding rod 64 as shown herein, is moved toward the card face I21 by the control device B immediately after the card face has been moved toward and into close proximity to the block I. by the reciprocatory movement of the shaft I4. This is accomplished by a lever 51 pivotully mounted at 63 on the frame 22 and pivoted at to the lever 84. The lower end of the lever 61 is pivoted at 58 to a rod 52 which is reciprocated in the frame 22 by a slide block 88 having a follower 28 which engages a cam slot 861 formed in the upper surface of a cam disk 25 mounted on the control shaft 5. To reduce the wear on the cam groove 381, a, spring 59 may be interposed between a washer 68 fixed on the rod 6! and the side of the frame 22.

The rod 64 yieldingly engages each of the blocks I8 by means of arms 81 extending downwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the blocks and having springs 68 interposed between the arms 61 and the blocks.

To identify those ballots which have been presented to the register block, a stamping device I I9 is positioned on the block I8 so that the bulllratis will be pressed against it by the card faces Transmission of actuating power impulses to counters Means is provided which is operable while a vote card I is positioned between the card face I21 and the block I8 to transmit actuating power impulses to a plurality of individual counters In accordance with the physical indicia placed on the ballot by the voter. In the preferred form illustrated herein these actuating power impulses are transmitted from the ballot handling mechanisms A to the counting mechanism C by means of air pressure and a suitable source of air pressure is provided at I24 connected by a pipe I33 to the several ballot handling stations A.

The air pressure is communicated at the proper time to the interior of the chamber I1 which happens to be adjacent to the block I8 and in order that pressure air may pass from the chamber I1 through the apertures formed in the vote cards I by the voter, a plurality of bores III (Fig. 5) are formed in the block I8, each bore III being connected to a counter by means of a tube III. In order to provide a tight connection about each aperture in the vote card I, an annular recess III) is formed (Figs. 6 and 7) about the passage H2 in the card head I1 and the vote card is pressed into this recess by a complementary annular bead I89 formed on the block I8 about each bore II Thus it will be apparent that a blast of pressure air may pass from the chamber I1- through each aperture which has been formed in the ballot by the voter and that this blast of pressure air may be communicated to a suitable counting mechanism by the tube I I8.

To communicate the air pressure from the pipe I33 to the chamber I1 at the proper time. a control device is provided operatively associated with main control shaft 5, which device preferably comprises a valve mechanism having a valve chamber 86 (Figs. 4 and 5) mounted on the frame 12 and interposed in controlling relation between a pipe I38. A valve member 88 is slidably mounted on a horizontal stem 9| so as to be movable by said stem into contact with a. valve seat 81 to prevent passage of pressure air to the chamber I1".

The valve 89 is moved to and from its closed position by a rod 54 slidably mounted in the ingsleeve8l similar to the sleeve 80.

frames." parallel to the shaft I4 and operatively connected to the valve rod 9| by an arm 95 which embraces the rod between two fixed washers 83. --The valve control rod is reciprocated in proper timedrelation to the other parts of the machine by means of a pivoted connection with a slide .48 mounted in the frame and reciprocated by a follower 28 which rides in a cam groove 969formed in the uppersurface of a cam disk 26 (Fig. 35) mounted. on the control shaft 5. To permit cf successive connection of the different, chambers I'I with the source of pressure air, the .pipe 82 leads'to a sleeve 88 mounted in the frame 12 above'and parallel to the shaft I4 soas to projectbeyond the face of the frame toward the card-head H. A plurality of bores I are formed in the head II, one communicating with each of the chambers I'I and these boresare so positioned that when the head I1 is moved longitudinally toward the register block I8, .the bore I26 of the upper chamber I? will slide over the sleeve 80 and thus form a connectionwthrough which pressure air may be communicatedto the chamber p The safety device To guard against the introduction of error into counters due to improper positioning of the vote card on the registerblock, or due to the lack of a vote card to be countedmeans is provided to prevent the passage of pressure air to the chamber. Ila when the handling device A fails to supply'a'card or fails to properly position a card. means is preferably operated bypressure air and .is' controlled by the control device B.

To this end a second pipe 83 is connected to the valve chambertlfi and a valve 89 is operated in proper timed relation to the other parts by means of a slide rod 53 mounted in the frames I2 and operatively connected by a slide 39 having a follower 28 riding in a cam groove 368 formed in the lower surface of a cam disk 25 (Figs. 1 and 34). a l

The pipe 83 isfconnected successively to passages I0! positioned within the chamber I l this connection being accomplished by a projec- The end III'of each passage IOI is located at the card faceI 21 of its particular chamber II so as to register with an aperture H5 formed in the register block IS in such a position that it will becovered and closed by a vote card properly positioned on the block I8. Thus if a card is not in position between the block I8 and the card face I21, air pressure may be communicated from the passage IOI to the aperture H6 and this aperture is connected by means of a pipe 13 (Fig. 4) to a valve device mounted in the frame .12. This valve device comprises a valve member 76 slidably mounted in a chamber I9formed at the end of the pipe 82, said valve member being movable to prevent passage of air to the chamber H The valve I6 is norm ally held in open position by a spring 'I'! mounted in a bore 3' in the frame and is arranged to be closed by the passage of pressure through the pipe 13, this pipe being connected to the bore 3?! so as to impinge upon a piston I5 mounted on the valve member T6.

.. The safety control valve 89 is arranged to be opened by. its controlling cam groove 368 just before the opening of the valve 89, and it will be apparentthat in case .a card is not in place on the block I8 so as to cover the aperture IIG, the pressure air will pass through the aperture to actuate the valve "I6 and close the passage to the chamber Il Thus when the valve 89 is opened the pressure air cannot pass to the chamber I1 and hence an error cannot be introduced into the coiuiters.

Ballot counting means Means is preferably provided for registering the number of ballots from which votes have been counted. In the present form this means comprises a counter 99 mounted on each frame I2 and connected by an arm 98 to a piston 91 slidably mounted in a bore 91 in the frame I2. The bore 9'5 communicates with the passage 82 by means of an opening 530 formed therein between the valve chamber "I9 and the sleeve 88. Thus if the valve 76 is closed, the pressure air will not reach the opening I and the counter 99 will not be actuated. A spring I09 is provided to return the counter and the piston 91 to initial position after actuation.

A second passage 295 is formed in the frame 12, similar to the passage 91 and is connected to the passage 82 so as to receive air pressure each time pressure is introduced into the upper chamber H The passage 298 communicates with a second passage 29! controlled by a valve M5 and the passage 29'! is connected with a sleeve I88 similar to the sleeve 88 arranged to enter the bore Q26 of the chamber I1 which is positioned at the storage tray 38L Thus a part of the pressure from the upper chamber I'I will be utilized to force the vote card I from the card face I2'iinto the storage tray 38L The counting mechanism Because of the fact that a plurality of ballot handling devices are employed, from each of which power impulses may be transmitted to the single counter which is provided for each candidate, I preferably employ a counting mechanism of the type in which a control mechanism is set by an initial operation and the numbers introduced into the counters by a second operation, the counters being actuated in accordance with the setting of the control mechanism.

Thus a plurality of control mechanisms may be provided for each counter, one of such control mechanisms for each ballot handling device A, and after the control mechanisms have been set by the power impulses communicated from the device A, the mechanism may be actuated to add the votes set on all of the control mechanisms into the counters. In the present instance these control mechanisms are arranged to be actuated from their inoperative to their operative positions by the compressed air impulses which pass from the register block or station I8 through the flexible tubes I I8.

To this end the tubes II8 from all of the handling mechanisms A are carried by a frame I40 (Figs. 1 and 1 and extend to a cylinder block I44 mounted on the frame '12 adjacent the counting mechanism C. The cylinder block I44 has a plurality of separate cylinders 2H (Fig. 18) formed therein and each cylinder is connected at 2Iu to one of the tubes H8. The cylinders 2I'I extend through the cylinder block I44 and a piston 288 is slidably positioned in each of the cylinders so as to be forced longitudinally outwardly of the cylinder when air pressure is communicated thereto through its tube I I8.

Each of the pistons 288 is connected to a rod 204, and these rods are slidably supported in a plurality of vertical frame members 2| I.

Each of the rods 204 has a projection 200 formed thereon which is adapted, when properly positioned, to engage a gear wheel I86 which is mounted so that it may be moved past one of the positions of the projection 206. The rods 204 are held against rotation by means of longitudinal fiat portions 205 formed thereon which abut suitable recesses in the vertical frame members 2I I. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19 the gear wheel I86 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 226 in a vertically movable frame member I84. One end of the shaft 220 has a bevel gear I8! fixed thereon in mesh with a bevel gear I88 which is slidably but non-rotatably secured on the vertical rod I90. The rods I are mounted in upper bearings 20I formed on a frame member I44 and by lower bearings I83 carried by cross bars 2I4 connecting the bottom ends of the vertical frame members 2! I. In its sliding movement along the vertical rod I80, the bevel gear I88 is carried by the frame member I84 upon which it is rotatably mounted.

As shown in Fig.3, each of the shafts I90 extends upwardly and is arranged to transmit its rotary motion to a horizontal shaft 200 supported by the frame member 244 by means of spiral gears I9I, I52 and a one-way clutch member I is interposed so that rotative movement in one direction only may be transmitted to the counters.

The details of the connection between the shafts I90 and 200 are shown in Figs. 19, 20, 26 and 2'7. The spiral gear I92 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 200 and has a clutch member I93 formed integrally therewith. This clutch member I93 is adapted to engage with a clutch member I94 which is mounted for rotation with the shaft 200 and which is pressed into engagement with the clutch member I93 by a spri rrg 195. The counter 242 is connected to the clutch member I94 through bevel gears I01, 198.

The use of such a one-way clutch device makes it possible to use the same counting mechanism for a number of groups or handling mechanisms such as are described herein. Thus in Fig. 3 I have shown the shafts 200 continuing'to the right or transversely beyond the side "of the frame 'IH so that they may be connected by means of similar one-way clutch devices to "another series of vertical shafts I90 which would, of course, be operated between the periods of operation of the shafts I90 illustrated herein.

The counters 242 are mounted on -'a panel243 and are connected to the horizontal shafts 200. The projections 206 are so positioned on the "slide 204 that when a rod is moved by the piston 208 the projection 206 will be moved to a position which lies in the vertical path of the gear wheel I 86. The slide rods 204 for correspondingspaces on the different register blocks I 8 are arranged in the same vertical tier and when any of these rods for corresponding spaces have beenactuated, all of the projections 206 of the actuated rods will lie in the path of the gear wheel -I86 so that the counter 242 connected to the particular gear wheel I86 will be actuated once for each of these projections 206 which 'havebeen moved.

The gear wheel I80 (Figs. 23'and-24) is-of the type which is turned one quarter turn for each projection encountered and intermediate these projections the straight side edges 228 of the gear are arranged to travel along the edge of the support 2 II so as to prevent turning'of the gear. To permit turning of the gearwhen it encounters the projection 206 the portion 205 is recessed'as-at 20! so that the corners may project into such recesses duringthe turning movement of the gear.

As shown in Figs. 1* and 3, a plurality of frames I84 are provided, one of these frames being positioned between each row of support; III and each of the frames carrying a plurality of gears I86 and means is provided whereby all of these frames I84 may be moved upwardly II tween the supports 2 past all of the slide rods 204. In the present instance this means con prises a frame I08 mounted for vertical siltih m movement in the frame III and having a or! bar wa A plurality of upwardly projecting members I68 are positioned in the cross bar I88 and one of the frames I04 is mounted on the M of each one of the members I.

Means is provided for moving the frame I 08 upwardly in proper timed relation this m is preferably associated'with the central shaft 5. In the present instance it comprises a lever centrally pivoted at I48 on a chose bar I44 near the bottom of the frame. The lower end a! a link I86 is pivotally connected at I to one end of the lever I'8I and the upper end o! the link is pivoted to the frame I68 a t I55. A counter balancing weight I52 is positioned at the other end of the lever IGI. 'I o pivot the lever I GI and thus raise the frame I60, an upwardly projecting is formed on the lever I6! and disarm is connected by means of a link 158 to a slidebfi' th'is slide bar being connected by means of a slide I'I 1) and a follower 20 to a cam groove 310 formed in the cam disk The cam slot 4''. is shown in detail in Fig. 35 and is arranged 30 that the frame I08 will be raised to its elevated position immediately after the slide rods 204 have been actuated by the compressed air blasts from the registration block I8, thus causing the gears to be turned for each piston rod 204 which has been moved. v

in order that the gears 186 may not be rotated in the reverse direction during the downward movement of the frames I84, means is provided for returning the'slicle rods 204 to their normal or inoperative position while the frames I84 are in their elevated positions. For this purpose the ends 210 of the slide rods 204 'are'arranged so as to project beyond the end of the frame III and fixedwashers 209 are positioned thereon to llnflt the movement o1 the bars toward the cylinder block I44. A pair of slide -rods I54 are slidabiy mounted in brackets I56 on the frame par'aue'i'to and below the slide rods 204 and a member m is mounted on the ends of the slide rods I34 so that "when the bars I54 are moved to the loft in Fig. 1', the member I55 will engage the ends 210 of the "slide bar's 2114 "to move them to mill ino erative position.

Means is provided for operatin the slide mas I54 at the proper time and 'in -the present instance this means comprises a lever I48 pivo'tally mounted at I49 on 'the'frame IT2. The upper end of the lever I48 is pivoted at I47 to the slidebar I54 and 'at its lower end is pivoted to a link "I. The link I50 is iyieldingly connected to a. bracket I53 which is connected to the slide bars I54 80 thatjupoh movement of the bar '64 to the right'in Fig. 1, the member I55 will be moved ,yieldin'gly against the ends 210 of the rods 204 to move the displaced rods back to their normal mcpemive positions.

Thus the counter control mechanism is again ready to receive actuating power impulses mm the next series of vote cards which are position'ed at the several registe'r "blocks or stations f8 bythe subsequent mo'vement of the card heafls of the ballothandling' devices A.

In devices of this character there is possibility of the various air passages becoming clogged and to avoid this undesirable result, means is preferably provided to draw dust and refuse from the air passage. In the preferred form here-in illustrated, this means comprises a plurality of vertical bores 2I8 (Figs. 18 and 22) formed in the cylinder block I 44 and connected to the cylinders 2|! by means of transverse bores 264. The vertical bores 2! are connected to each other by a transverse passage 225 which is in turn connected by a pipe l3! to the low pressure source I36 (Fig. 1)

Means is provided for controlling the transverse bores 264 so as to open the same only between the periods when it is desired to transmit power impulses to the counters. This means in the present form comprises a plurality of valve sleeves H8, one positioned in each of the vertical bores 2I8. The valve sleeves 248 having side apertures 223 which may be brought into and out of register with the transverse bores 254 by rotation of the valve sleeves. The valve sleeves 2 I8. are preferably mounted on shafts 22! which are geared for simultaneous rotation by means of gears 220 and 263. These gears are, in the present instance, actuated by a segment I16 mounted on one of the shafts 221 and which engages a circular rack l6 formed on a rod 15 which is connected to the end of the hollow shaft I (see Fig. 1 so as to be reciprocated thereby. Thus the source of low pressure I35 will be frequently connected to all of the cylinders 2 El and thetubes H8 so as to efiectually clean dirt and refuse therefrom.

7 An alternative construction In Fig. 37 I have shown alternative construction embodying three means for detecting a mark on a ballot so as to insure actuation of the counting device. These three means may be used singly or in combination as desired.

This structure is shown in connection with a card head I! having a card face I27 with apertures H2 therein which register with the apertures which may be formed in the vote cards I. The apertures H2 also register with bores 31'! formed in' a register block 310, similar to the register block l8. Each bore 3i! is connected to a pipe 3| l, the extreme end of which houses a piston 3l2. A counting device 33| is provided having a projecting shaft 329 which may be oscillated to actuate the counter and this shaft is operably connected to the piston (M2 by means of an arm 328 pivoted at 321 on the piston 3l2 and sliding diametrically in the shaft 329. Thus when the piston is moved outwardly of the pipe 3| I by a blast of air, the counter will be actuated.

A second means is provided for moving the arm 328 to actuate the counter, this second means comprising a plunger 3|8 slidably mounted in block 3l0 concentrically with the bore 3! 7 so that the plunger may be moved through an aperture formed in a vote card I into contact with a metallic stop device 333 positioned with the chamber The plungers 3|8 are yieldingly urged toward the stop 333 each time a vote card I is positioned on the register block 3"). This is accomplished by a member 32I slidingly surrounding all of the plungers and yieldingly connected thereto by a plurality of springs 320, one surrounding each of the plungers between the member 32| and a collar 3! on each plunger. The member 32l may be reciprocated by any preferred means such as by connection to the slide bar shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The plungers 328 are returned to their initial position by engagement of the member 82! with collars 323 on the plungers during the return movement of the member 32 Each of the plungers 3H3 is connected to its particular counter by means of a lever pivoted intermediate its ends at 325. One end of the lever has a slotted pivotal connection. with the counter operating arm 328 at 321 while the other end has a slotted pivotal connection with the plunger Bit-i at 325.

A third means is also provided for moving the arm 328 in accordance with the marking of a vote card i. This means comprises an electromagnet 314 arranged to attract an armature 353 connected to the end'of the counter actuating arm in such a manner as to actuate the counter.

The electromagnet 3i is connected by a wire 31% to the plunger Sit b and an insulating sleeve 3% isprovided in the lock 35%! about the plunger Bill. The other circuit of the magnet com-- prises a wire 3 l 5 leading to a suitable source 3 M and a wire iilfi grounded to the block 3 i 8. Thus when the plunger 3E8 touches the metal stop device see at the circuit through the magnet is completed so as to actuate the counter In Fig. 21 I have shown mechanism whereby the totals accumulated in the counters may be displayed at a point remote from the counting mechanism C. As here n shown, the apparatus is electrically operated and an armature ESQ having a plurality of contacts is secured on the shaft 230. on opposite sides of the arznatiue 5% so that each time a vote is introduced into the counter, an electrical connection will be made between the two contacts 235. Two wires 253 and 255 lead from the opposite contacts 235 to an electrically operated counting mechanism generally designated by the numeral The Wire 2255 leads to a source of current 253 a wire E59 leads to a relay switch which. connected m 7 of a wire 255 to an electromagnet in the count ing device 28%, the wire leading to the other side of the magnet.

Thus each time the contacts 235 and 2% complete a circuit the electromagnet 2% will be energized. The magnet 3 55 is arranged to actuate a counter 242 having operating arm 25:. The operating'arm 252 is connected by means of a link 248 to one end of an armature 2:2 which is pivoted at its other end at 243. When the electromagnet t lt is energized, the arm 24 i is drawn downwardly to actuate the counter 2&2.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the invention provides means where-- by the votes indicated on a ballot by a voter may be entered into a counting mechanism by means which is entirely mechanical and which therefore eliminates the personal element which has heretofore made possible the commission of numerous vote frauds.

It will also be apparent that the invention provides an exceedingly rapid means for determining the results of an election since it provides a number of mechanisms in which ballots may be rapidly handled by efficient mechanical means together with means for introducing the votes marked on the ballots handled at these several mechanisms into a single counting device. It will also be apparent that the machine herein described will serve to count votes much more economically than the system now in use and that Contact brushes are arranged due to this low cost, elections may be held more frequently to determine governmental questions.

It is contemplated that a system similar to that used by the United States Post Gfiilce Department will be used for the purpose of distributing the ballots to the voters and for collecting the ballots after they have been marked. The economy and dispatch with which these two steps in an election may be accomplished, will readily be apparent to those familiar with the operation of the present postal system and when such a system of distribution and collection of ballots is used in connection with the vote counting machine herein described it will greatly reduce the cost and time necessary to conduct an election.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an automatic vote counting machine having a supply compartment for ballots to be counted, a register station at which ballots may be positioned for counting, and a storage compartment for the ballots which have been counted, the combination of means for removing said ballots one by one from the supply compartment and moving them first to the register station and thence to the said storage compartment and depositing said ballots therein, said means including a movably mounted head having three card receiving faces thereon adapted to be positioned in alinement with said compartments and said register station, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion thereto in one direction, and means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said head between its periods of rotary motion.

2. In an automatic vote counting machine having a supply compartment for ballots to be counted, a register station upon which ballots may be positioned for counting, and a storage compartment for the ballots which have been counted, the combination of means for removing the ballots one by one from the supply compartment to the register station and thence to the said storage compartment, said means including a movably mounted head having three card receiving faces thereon adapted to be positioned in alinement with said compartments and said register station, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion thereto, means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said head between its period of rotary motion, and means unsymmetrically positioned on each of said card faces engageable with a ballot during said reciprocatory motion to properly position the same on said card face.

3. In an automatic vote counting machine haw-- ing a frame with a supply compartment for ballots to be counted, a register block movably mounted on said frame and upon which ballots may be positioned for counting, and a storage compartment for the ballots which have been counted, the combination of means for removing the ballots one by one from the supply compartment to the register block and thence to the said storage compartment, said means including a movably mounted head having three card receiving faces thereon adapted to be positioned in alinement with said compartments and said register block, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion thereto, means for imparting rcciprocatory motion to said head between its period of rotary motion, and means operable to yieldingly press said register block toward a card face alined therewith to firmly clamp a vote card therebetween.

4. In an automatic vote counting machine having a supply compartment for ballots to be counted, a register block upon which a ballot may be positioned for counting the votes marked thereon, and a storage compartment for the counted ballots, the combination of means for automath cally transferring said ballots one by one from said supply compartment to said register block, and then to said storage compartment, said means having a valve controlled connection with a source of low pressure, said means also having a valve controlled connection with a source or high pressure air, and a control device operable to open the valve in said low pressure connection in proper timed relation to hold a ballot on said means and to close said valve and open the valve in said high pressure air connection to discharge a ballot from said means.

5. In an automatic vote counting machine having a register station at which ballots may be positioned one by one for counting of the votes indicated thereon, a supply tray adjacent said register station, said tray being formed with one open end through which ballots may be removed, and means operable to remove ballots one by one from said open end of the tray and to position said ballots at said register station, said means including a ballot receiving face movable from said tray to said register station, and a suction device adapted to hold a ballot on said ballot receiving face.

CHARLES SIMEK 

